United Way begins fund drive

Local agencies serve human, health and welfare needs

September 18, 2013

IRON MOUNTAIN - United Way of Dickinson County has launched its 2014 campaign with a goal of $105,000.

The goal was announced at the agency's campaign kick-off event at Pine Grove Country Club Tuesday night.

Funds raised will benefit 10 different agencies in the local area.

Article Photos

Theresa Proudfit/Daily News PhotoThe United Way of Dickinson County campaign is chaired by Brian LaBrash, left, and co-chaired by Wendy Kolbas, right. The campaign goal is $105,000. The funds will benefit 10 different agencies in the local area. For information on how to contribute, please visit www.unitedwaydickinson.org.

They include:

- American Red Cross MI-WI Border Area Service Delivery Unit. This is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

- Bay Lakes Council Boy Scouts of America. A mission of the Hiawathaland Council of the Boy Scouts of America is to instill the values of the scout oath and law in local youth.

- Catholic Social Services of the U.P. A non-denominational agency, Catholic Social Services provides family, individual, and marriage counseling, as well as child welfare services including problem pregnancy counseling, adoption, and work and community consultation services.

- DCH Prescription Assistance Program. This program has extended its services to include Medicare drug and supplement enrollment and health benefits counseling. The goal is to meet the needs of the uninsured in the local community.

- D.C. Proud Equestrian Program, which provides a one-week horseback riding instruction session to 20 to 30 physically-challenged youth and young adults. Also included is stable management and an introduction to 4-H.

- Dial Help, a crisis intervention information referral service and victim support and assistance service that is licensed by Michigan's Department of Health. The agency has 40 years of experience in helping people in the Upper Peninsula with emotional or substance abuse problems.

- Family Ties Adult Center, which provides day care to adults with dementia who are being cared for by loved ones at home. Family Ties gives caregivers a chance to take care of personal needs and to take a break from their routine.

- Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes. This program provides girls aged five to 17 a chance to develop self-confidence, do service work, have fun, and make lasting friendships.

- Medical Care Access Coalition, which has a mission to develop a model system to provide needed healthcare to uninsured individuals in Dickinson County. The vision of MCAC is that all people will have access with dignity to quality, affordable healthcare.

- Northwoods Airlifeline. This service uses a group of volunteer pilots to provide air transportation at no cost to ambulatory medical patients from the area who need treatment at distant facilities.

LaBrash is serving as this year's campaign chair, while Kolbas is serving as campaign co-chair.

United Way provides year-round administration of funds to agencies, works with agencies to improve and expand programs in the area, provides campaign supplies, leadership, and help to volunteers, and maintains records for federal and state requirements and audits or reviews.